News Releases

FRESNO, CA – In preparation for the large number of visitors anticipated at Fresno’s regional parks for the Easter holiday, the City of Fresno will maintain extended hours of operation for Roeding and Woodward Parks on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015. The entrances to each regional park will be opened and staffed beginning at 6 a.m. >more

FRESNO, CA – This month, the National Recreation and Park Association, Disney/ABC Television Group and ESPN are collaboration to revitalize parks across the U.S. including a park right here in Fresno. >more

FRESNO, CA – The City of Fresno today announced that the Department of Development and Resource Management has released a draft of the first major update of the city’s development code in over 50 years. The development code deals with permitting, zoning, land use, public works, and other topics and is required to be consistent with the vision presented in the General Plan Update. Since the passage of the existing Zoning Ordinance in 1962, the City has adopted numerous General Plans but neglected to address significant deficiencies in the Code. >more

FRESNO, CA – The City of Fresno has completed its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year which ended June 30, 2014. Among the more significant results is the independent auditor’s report which contains no mention of “going-concern,” the first unqualified opinion for City finances since 2011. Other highlights from the City’s CAFR: City of Fresno Assets totaled over $3 billion for the first time in the City’s history. >more

FRESNO, CA – The City of Fresno, along with other members of the Central Valley Water Awareness Committee, join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WaterSense in declaring March 16 – 22 as “Fix a Leak Week. >more

FRESNO, CA – The City of Fresno is seeking public input from residents on community development and housing needs to prepare its next five-year Consolidated Plan and has scheduled four public forums next week to help prioritize community needs over the next five years.The Consolidated Plan is a strategic document used by the City to allocate federal funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Act (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) programs. All told, these programs will reinvest $45 million over five years into assisting low-moderate income households and the revitalization of older, neglected neighborhoods in Fresno.Four forums will be held: NORTH FRESNO: Monday, March 9 from 5:30 – 7:30pmWesley United Methodist Church, Fireside Room, 1343 E >more

FRESNO, CA – This evening, City Council approved the Administration’s proposed water rate plan to pay for the City’s amended water infrastructure project. The vote was 6-1 with Councilmembers Baines, Brand, Brandau, Caprioglio, Olivier and Soria voting in favor and Councilmember Quintero the only “no” vote.The Administration proposed a modified five-year capital plan totaling $429 million and a corresponding five-year rate plan that incorporated savings made possible by acquiring a $186,400,000 low-interest loan from the State Revolving Fund (SRF) which has already been approved by the Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Division of Financial Assistance (DFA). >more

FRESNO, CA – Mayor Ashley Swearengin and officials from the City of Fresno’s Department of Public Utilities have released a detailed response to the opinion piece written by Fresno City Councilmember Esmeralda Soria that was published in today’s Fresno Bee. The article, titled “Why I oppose mayor’s water plan,” contains concerns that have been adequately addressed by the Administration. The Administration’s response to Councilmember Soria’s op-ed can be found on the City of Fresno website. “I respect Councilmember Soria’s right to vote against the City’s water plan tonight >more

FRESNO, CA – Mayor Ashley Swearengin and officials from the City of Fresno’s Department of Public Utilities have released a comprehensive response to an opinion piece written by Measure W proponent and local politician Doug Vagim that was published in today’s Fresno Bee. The article, titled “Fresno’s water plan is a boondoggle,” is filled with inaccuracies, falsehoods, ill-informed theories and unfounded accusations. Soria Op-ed Fact Check The Administration’s detailed response can be found on the City of Fresno website. “It’s a shame that anyone would try to politicize a project that is so vital to the security of our precious water supply and the health and public safety of our citizens,” said Mark Standriff, Director of Communications >more

FRESNO, CA – Mayor Ashley Swearengin today announced that the City Administration will submit a revised water rate plan to City Council next week that reduces the amount of increase over the next five years, saves city ratepayers over $100 million over 30 years, and gives customers more control over water charges. The City will also present to Council a new Water Affordability Credit Program that will provide financial aid to low-income account holders. The new water rate proposal lowers the average monthly water charge over the next five years about $3.00 per month over the rates originally proposed to Fresno City Council last November >more